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Green training for plant operators

1 February 2022

Green training for plant operators

A recent blog post described some unexpected machinery issues that a contractors encountered during an initiative encouraging drivers to adopt environmentally friendly ways of operation. 

Essentially the operators’ enthusiasm led to them switching off machines so frequently that the engines did not get hot enough to clean the diesel particulate filters. 

So it’s good to hear that there is growing interest in making training available that addresses such outcomes. 

“Some of our members have developed their own ‘eco’ awareness courses for saving fuel and reducing emissions,” Peter Brown, technical development manager at the CPA (Construction Plant-hire Association) tell me. 

“They suggested rolling them out more widely but some companies might have their own preferred delivery organisations, while other awarding bodies might end up developing courses of their own. 

“What is really needed is a national and single, consistent standard but one that is open-source for use by anybody.” 

Peter says that the Plant Sector Representative Organisation (PSRO) has offered to undertake such an approach and are in discussions with the CITB to seek specific grant aid on achievement of a PSRO-derived standard. 

The PSRO is forming a working party, with interest having been received from a number of plant hirers, drawing in expertise from across the industry. There may also be input from a group from the Supply Chain Sustainability School which is addressing the issue. 

The PSRO is an employer-led body comprising representatives from construction-focused employers and their federations, associations and other organisations with a valid interest. 

“CPA is trying to bring people together with a view to creating a single national syllabus,” says Peter. “The aim is to get operators to really buy into eco operation so that it becomes second nature and they realise they are an important part of the solution.” 

Peter also points out that the syllabus “has to educate all sectors, including managers and supervisors, since everything starts at the planning phase setup, making sure that people have the right machinery for the job, the right specifications and so on.” 

This sounds like a very worthy endeavour and the blog will provide an update in due course. 

● For more of the latest Site-Eco stories click here

 


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